After you have planned the itinerary, purchased the travel tickets, and packed a suitcase, you may believe you have done everything you need to prepare for a vacation. However, there is one small but important step that many people often forget about: notifying their bank before using their credit or debit card when traveling. The team at Magnolia Bank, located in Hodgenville, KY, discusses why you should let the bank know about any travel plans.

A Guide to Notifying the Bank About a Vacation

What Should I Tell My Bank Before I Leave on a Trip?

Before a trip, call the bank’s customer service number or leave an online banking message to let them know where you are going and how long you will be away from home. This keeps them informed about the travel plans so any purchases you make out of state or out of the country are not declined based solely on the location. Give the bank enough time, about two to three weeks, to process the information. 

Why Do I Need to Tell the Bank My Travel Plans?

Banks usually have security measures that alert them to suspicious activity, including credit and debit card purchases made outside of your home state and overseas. These help to protect you if the account information falls into the wrong hands, but it may unnecessarily decline purchases, preventing you from using the card on a trip. When you notify the bank of any vacation plans, it lets them know that the transactions are legitimate, and the card will not be blocked.

Magnolia Bank offers flexible banking services that are conveniently designed to give you confidence while you are traveling. Give them a call at (270) 358-3183 to speak to a member of their team. You can also visit them online to learn more about their personal banking services.